So the narrative of this story is staying so close the way Guido wants to percieve the world, that it wouldn't, in fact, be possible to be more realistic, because Guido perception of reality is as far from realistic as you get. I don't agree that the movie is doing this because it's simple, on the contrary, I think it was harder to do, than to have some realism in it. The narrative has to rely completely on the viewers, that they know enough about the persecution, nazism and the holocaust, so that they are able to fill in what we don't get to see (which is pretty much everything), and it does.
Finally, the reason I like this movie so much, is because I think the hero (Guido) is morally ambiguous, to say the least. I don't think Benigni is trying to tell us that he is making the right choice, I think he's just showing us the choice Guido is making, and letting us be the judges of that choice. Personally, I think it's the wrong choice. Seeing the bottle as half-full is one thing, but denying reality is another. As you say, his choice put both him and his son in danger on several occasions, and if he had never shut his eyes to reality in the first place, he might even have been able to go into hiding with his family, or at least he could have tried to. Instead, he just keeps living in his dream-world at a time when taking personal responsibility is more important than ever. But that's a choice too. Anyway, I'll go more into these things when I write my own essay. Will memorise this entry 'til then, so I can perhaps give some better answers.
Anyway, this is not trying to force you to like the movie or anything, just providing an alternative opinion.;-)
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Cont.
Date: 2004-08-14 02:40 pm (UTC)Finally, the reason I like this movie so much, is because I think the hero (Guido) is morally ambiguous, to say the least. I don't think Benigni is trying to tell us that he is making the right choice, I think he's just showing us the choice Guido is making, and letting us be the judges of that choice. Personally, I think it's the wrong choice. Seeing the bottle as half-full is one thing, but denying reality is another. As you say, his choice put both him and his son in danger on several occasions, and if he had never shut his eyes to reality in the first place, he might even have been able to go into hiding with his family, or at least he could have tried to. Instead, he just keeps living in his dream-world at a time when taking personal responsibility is more important than ever. But that's a choice too. Anyway, I'll go more into these things when I write my own essay. Will memorise this entry 'til then, so I can perhaps give some better answers.
Anyway, this is not trying to force you to like the movie or anything, just providing an alternative opinion.;-)